Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1887-12-03
ApvERrIsINo RArEs.
AN OLD MANS DARLING.

Mabel Marsden's fortune was made; so
she congratulated herself as she gazed ex-
ultantly on the diamond ring which Col
onel Holbeck had placed upon her finger.
His words of love still vibrated in her ears,
but strange to say, there was no responsive
melody in her young heart, although her
lips had promised that she would become
his wife.
She was young girl not yet out of her
teens-poor, beautiful and ambitious
Colonel Holbeck was fifty-hale, gentle
manly and rich.
The wedding was a quiet one. st.
Adams had never seen a loyelier bride
nor happier groom; and when, after
months travel, the couple took possession
of their luxuriant home. Mabel again
congratulated her upon the brilliancy of
her fortune. Her brightest dreams were
meeting with fulfllment. She entered
into her new life with all the zest of her
fresh young spirit, glorying in the beauty
that had purchased her pleasures and
leaving nothing undone that could enhance
her loneliness.
Colonel Holbeck accompanied her every
where she wished to go.
She is too young, too inexperienced for
me to allow her her freedom" he said, ca
ressingly. "She will doubtless tire of this
frivolity after while, and then we will
settle down to that happy home have so
often pictured"
But time wore on. and not even the
shadow ofsuch aweariness appeared to cloud
the young wife's spirits. No gayety was
proposed which did not tempt her antici-
patton, and no temptation met with re-
sistance.
After three years of patient waiting, the
frivolities in which she INDUCED so freely
became so utterly distasteful to her hus-
band that he could no longer restrain his
impatience.
1--WE have been married almost three
years, Mabel" he said to her one evening
in the course of an interview, and in all
that time / have been but a slave at your
bidding. 1t is true / am more than twice
your age, but | became your husband
fondly believing that in your love my
heart would regain its youthfu,ness, and
that you would find comfort and happi-
ness in being an old mans darling That
1have been disappointed freely acknowl-
edge; that you have been | can but infer.
/ realize now the vanity of the hope which
led me to unite old age with youth, since
our tastes are so dissimilar. What l have
to say TO you, however, is this-that | de-
sire you to relinquish, in measure, those
frivolities which are separating us so surely
and so utterlyp'
Mabel looked for a moment into his face
and said: Suppose l do not desire to re-
nounce those pleasures which you seem to
condemn so heartily? '
"Then l shall resort to that authority,
which as your husband, is vested in me p
"And if / do not choose to submit to
that authorityT
THAT is not question to be discussed
between us p he exclaimed, emphatically,
now thoroughly aroused and irate. 81
am master of this house, as you will find
to your cost That you have never cared
for me. except as the representative of the
wealth which purchases your pleasures, is
too plain case to admit of argument
But there is one thing of which you may
rest assured. While you bear my name it
must remain as unsullied as when you re-
ceived it. | do not wish you to regard me
as brute nor yet as tyrant but this
continual dissipation must ceasel | am
too old to be dragged from one scene of
gayety to another, tied, as it were, TO the
wheels of your carriage; and since | can
not attend you, you must confne yourself
more at home. You may retire now if
you please but remember that | expect
your compliance with my wishesw
''Thank you for the privilege" she re-
turned, sarcastically 81 shall not retire
however, until this subject is definitely
settled"
Her eyes glowed like midnight stars,
and upon her white forehead the beads of
perspiration sparkled like diamonds in the
full blaze of the chandelier beneath which
she stood.
''That do not love you, Colonel Hol-
beck, you seem to be well aware. | mar
ried you because / was dazzled by those
visions of splendor which you placed be-
fore my eyes, and / sighed for them as
those who travel in sandy deserts thirst for
water. Fashion and society are my idols
| shall not give them up without strug-
gle, you may rest assured; but the victory
is not always to the strong. Good night"
she added turning from him and leaving
the room with the air of an empress.
Colonel Holbeck, stunned by the con-
"She shall have her own way!" he
suddenly stoically resolved. of she
married me, as she says, for my wealth,
She shall enjoy her freedom unmolested
while l live, and my wishes hereafter
shall remain untold"
Four years passed away, and then the
end of it all came Mabel was sitting
alone in her elegant drawing room whence
hundred guests had just departed, when
Colonel Holbeck entered hastily and drew
chair to her side. She gathered her
trailing robes of amber satin about her
more closely, as if fearing contamination.
He noticed the movement, and exclaimed,
alphabetically: "Ivowed years ago, Mabel,
that | never would again, by word or look,
detract from your happiness, and faith
fully, until now, have kept that vow
This, however, is a perilous moment for
both of us, and must account for this in
trusion. | have communication TO make
which will startle you; but you must hear
it. Are you listening? / am a bankrupt,
Mabel, bankrupt"
A bankrupt p she exclaimed, hoarsely.
Are you in earnest? ?"
"Yes; in terrible earnest, as to-mor-
rows proceedings will show For your
sake regret it. You worship wealth and
position, you told me once, and / have
never forgotten it God knows l pity your'
"What are we to do ?' she asked, brok-
emily, for, try as she might, the tears would
not be repressed.
:" / do not know" he answered vaguely
"The tidings reached me but few hours
ago, and since then / have thought of
nothing but how | should tell you of it
without breaking your heart. | am not too
old TO work for you, Mabel; but how will
YOU endure our misfortune? You will
dglbtless reproach me for not having pro-.
vided against this contingency when We
were married; but j did not know then